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Introduction: The ultimate objective of scientific activities in organizations and universities is to ensure continuous expansion of these activities and also achieving an ongoing knowledge improvement and development. Hence, this study was performed to investigate the knowledge management score among students of Isfahan University of Medical Sciences. Methods: In this descriptive study, 190 students of Isfahan University of Medical Sciences were selected through stratified random sampling. Data gathering tool was Knowledge Management questionnaire which its validity and reliability was confirmed. Data analysis was performed by SPSS software version 18 using descriptive and inferential statistics. Results: The students' mean score of knowledge management was 60.22±10.39. There was a significant relationship between knowledge management score and gender (p<0.05). But, no significant relationship was observed between knowledge management and age and educational level (p>0.05.( Conclusion: The score of knowledge management among students was low. So, with regard to fast and continuous changes in different fields of science and technology as well as increasing complexity and dynamics of environmental factors, university managers should plan for production, dissemination, and transmission of knowledge in universities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: One of the most important and significant issues in students' learning, is choosing and appropriate learning strategy. Today, Problem- Based Learning (PBL) as a metacognitive skill plays an important role in students learning. This study tried to study and compare utility rate of PBL by students of different schools in Isfahan University of Medical Sciences. Methods: This analytical descriptive study was done on 177 students of Isfahan University of Medical Sciences in 2009. Sampling was done by stratified random sampling method. The tool used was Metacognitive Awareness of Reading Strategies Inventory (MARSI) whose validity and reliability were both confirmed. Data were analyzed by SPSS 18 software using ANOVA test. Results: There was a significant difference between the mean scores of PBL utility in students of different schools, the highest belonged to the School of Management with the score of 77.22± 10.8 and the lowest was that of School of Dentistry with the score of 57.83± 17.36. There was no significant difference among different university majors regarding PBL strategies utility rate. Conclusion: PBL is an active method and a metacognitive awareness in studying which could improve learning and academic achievement among students. So, the research and educational activities should lead the learners toward active and strategic learners. It is suggested that the educational system provide necessary education for students regarding applying PBL strategy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Every year some faculty members continue their education to get their PhD in the form of scholarship, educational assignment, or other ways. Granting scholarship for studying inside or outside the country imposes many problems and high costs to the Ministry of Health and medical universities in Iran. This study aimed to compare the educational, research and administrative performance of faculty members taking advantage of scholarship funds or using other sources to continue their studies for PhD degree. Methods: This descriptive study was done on faculty members of Isfahan University of Medical Sciences who completed their PhD degree during the years 1986-2006. Data gathering tool was a researcher-made questionnaire including three parts asking about faculty members educational, administrative and research performances. The obtained results were analyzed by SPSS software using descriptive statistics, t-test, and ANOVA. Results: In total 82 faculties were studied among which 39 had used external scholarship, 16 had internal scholarship, 12 were on educational assignment, and 13 had continued their studies without using any mentioned procedures. There was a significant difference (p=.01) between the 4 groups in evaluation scores (educational performance). But, no significant difference was observed in their administrative performance. Regarding their research activities, a significant difference was observed in some research areas such as conducting research (p=.002), articles published in Iranian journals (p=.004), and in journals outside the country (p=.04). Conclusion: According to the results, faculty members using external or internal scholarship had a lower performance in their research activities compared to the other groups. Also, the administrative activities of faculty members with external scholarship were less than the others. Therefore, it is recommended that through more detailed and extensive studies, re-examine the policies and regulations regarding scholarship or educational assignments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Learning and studying are considered among the most basic processes of every educational system. One of the most essential factor in determining learning behaviours, is metacognitive awareness and perception. This study was performed to determine the relationship between students' metacognitive awareness of reading strategies and their academic status. Methods: In a descriptive correlational study, 191 students were selected through stratified random sampling out of total students of schools of Isfahan University of Medical Sciences in 2008-2009 academic years. Metacognitive Awareness of Reading Strategies Inventory (MARSI) was distributed among study sample. Academic status of students was defined based on their grand point average. Data was analyzed by SPSS version 10 software using Pearson correlation, independent t, and variance analysis tests. Results: The mean and standard deviation of metacognitive awareness score of students was 66.62 ± 14.8. The mean score of metacognitive awareness showed a significant correlation with students' score of academic status meaning that students with average score higher that 17, had a significantly higher metacognitive awareness. Metacognitive awareness showed no significant relationship with variables of age, gender, and residence place. But, there was a significant relationship with academic level, so as MS students had higher metacognition score compared to that of PhD students. Conclusion: Metacognitive awareness and knowledge may lead to a more effective learning and studying in different courses. Considering the fact that metacognitive awareness and knowledge could be learnt both in family or educational settings in all levels of learners, it is recommended that educational and cultural institutions develop a comprehensive and detailed plan in this regard. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The second most common cause of mortality is cancer. Increased NOX4 expression is linked to cancer development and metastasis. However, the significance of NOX4 in cell growth and assault, remains unclear., Objective: This study aimed to evaluate the effect of NOX4 knockouts in MCF7, UM-RC-6, HCA-7 cell lines., Materials and Methods: The NOX4 gene was knocked out in MCF7, UM-RC-6, and HCA-7 cell lines through using CRISPR Cas-9 genetic engineering techniques. After transfection, the CRISPR Cas-9 cassette, the T7 endonuclease I, qPCR, and western blotting assay detected the NOX4 knockouts. MTT and Annexin assessed the percentage of cell proliferation and apoptosis. Real-time PCR was used to measure the expression of pro- and anti-apoptotic genes., Results: Occurrence of NOX4 gene knockout in the examined cell lines, was confirmed by q-PCR and Western blot (P<0.001). The NOX4 -deleted cell lines with increased sub-G1 caused lowered cell proliferation and population at S / G2/ M phases. In Vitro , NOX4 silencing caused lowered expressions of anti-apoptosis genes BCL-2 and SURVIVIN  (P<0.0001), leading to increased tendency of apoptosis in the cell lines (P<0.0001) of the apoptotic genes BAX, P53, FAS. Additionally, the MTT and Annexin results of the target gene NOX4 knockout inhibited proliferation, increased mortality rates (P<0.01), and increased apoptosis., Conclusion: The findings of this study indicate that using NOX4 as a target can have therapeutic value for creating potential treatments against breast, colorectal, and kidney cancers which shows a need for a deeper understanding of the biology of these cancers with direct clinical outcomes for developing novel treatment strategies., (Copyright: © 2021 The Author(s); Published by Iranian Journal of Biotechnology.)

Context: One of the challenges in the fiercely competitive space of health organizations is responding to customers and building trust and satisfaction in them in the shortest time, with best quality and highest productivity. Hence the aim of this study is to survey the impact of customer relationship management (CRM) on organizational productivity, customer loyalty, satisfaction and trust in selected hospitals of Isfahan (in Iran)., Materials and Methods: This study is a correlation descriptive research. Study population was the nurses in selected hospitals of Isfahan and the sampling has been conducted using stratified random method. Data collection tool is a researcher-made questionnaire of CRM and its effects (organizational productivity, customer loyalty, satisfaction and trust) which its validity and reliability has been confirmed by researchers. Structural equation method was used to determine the impact of variables. Data analysis method was structural equation modeling and the software used was SPSS version 16 (IBM, SPSS, 2007 Microsoft Corp., Bristol, UK) and AMOS version 18 (IBM, SPSS, 2010 Microsoft Corp, Bristol, UK)., Results: Among the dimensions of CRM, diversification had the highest impact (0.83) and customer acquisition had the lowest (0.57) CRM, had the lowest impact on productivity (0.59) and the highest effect on customer satisfaction (0.83)., Conclusions: For the implementation of CRM, it is necessary that the studied hospitals improve strategies of acquiring information about new customers, attracting new customers and keeping them and communication with patients outside the hospital and improve the system of measuring patient satisfaction and loyalty., Competing Interests: There are no conflicts of interest.

Background: Hospitals are the central entity of each health care system and Health Promoting Hospitals (HPH) was launched by WHO in 1988. However, there has not been any accurate and detailed model for establishing a HPH in Iran up to now. Therefore, this study aimed to determine factors affecting the establishment of a health promoting hospital in Iran using factor analysis method., Methods: This applied, cross-sectional and descriptive-analytical study was conducted in Iran in four steps. Confirmatory Factor Analysis (CFA) was used for determining factors affecting the establishment of a HPH., Results: Society (0.97) and Policy (0.74) had the highest regression weights (effects) and management had the lowest one., Conclusion: Community assessment was the most important dimension of proposed conceptual model for establishing a HPH.

Introduction: Medical errors in hospitals kill more people every year than AIDS, breast cancer and auto accidents combined. Widespread consensus exists that health care organizations can reduce patient injuries by improving the environment for safety from implementing different alternatives from technical and managerial improvements to considering medical record data. Considering the preventability of medical errors, the Agency for Healthcare Quality and Research (AHRQ) developed patient safety indicators (PSIs). This study analyzes the PSIs calculated in Alzahra Hospital of Isfahan., Materials and Methods: This study was conducted retrospectively using the inpatient medical record data of hospitalized patients in a six month period, from October 2010 to March 2011. An experienced team in the fields of medical record, health management and health information technology was involved in data reviewing. Based on a prior consultation and reviewing, some PSIs were selected. Indicators were calculated considering AHRQ guidelines. Excel software and hospital information system software were used., Results: Across all studied medical records of patients, out of 25,164 discharges, below measures were calculated. -8 Foreign Body cases (PSI 5) (0.31 per 1000). -30 Postoperative Hemorrhage or Hematoma cases (PS I9) (2.2 per 1000). -5 Accidental Puncture or Laceration cases (PSI 15) (0.3 per1000). -8 Complications of Anesthesia cases (PSI 1) (2.2 per 1000). -96 Selected Infections Due to Medical Care cases (PSI 7) (3.8 per1000). -17 cases of Postoperative Wound Dehiscence (PSI 14) (3.7per1000). -1 Birth Trauma - Injury to Neonate case, and (PSI 17) (1.7 per 1000). - 18 Obstetric Trauma - Cesarean Delivery cases (PSI 20) (40 per 1000) were flagged by studied PSIs developed by AHRQ., Conclusion: Comparing with the reported rates by other studies and AHRQ study in 2006, all of calculated indicators have inadequate condition; i.e. these are far from empirical estimated rates. The hospital administrators should be more sensitive to this issue and perform some improvement programs.

Background: Considering globalization of health care and quality improvement trend to respond to competition and customer orientation, attention to organizational structure and its relationship with market orientation is essential. Therefore, this study reviews the relationship between organizational structure and market orientation in selected hospitals of Isfahan (Iran)., Materials and Methods: This study was a descriptive survey. The study population comprised nurse managers from selected hospitals (n = 80). Data collection tools were two questionnaires (market orientation questionnaire and organizational structure) that the validity and reliability were confirmed (r = 0.83 for market orientation questionnaire and r = 0.87 for organizational structure). SPSS (Ver. 16) software was used for the analyses., Results: The mean score of organizational structure was 65.4 (11.2) and total mean of market orientation was 51.14 (17.6). All aspects of the organizational structure (Organization Centralization, Formalization in Organization, and Organization Complication) and market orientation (responding to competition, accountability, customer satisfaction, intelligent organization)-except by responding to clients with Formalization in Organization-as well as all aspects of the Systemic attitude (the system of internal coordination and communication systems&#95; and market orientation (responding to competition, accountability, customer satisfaction, intelligent organization), there was a meaningful relationship (P < 0.05)., Conclusion: Market orientation and its dimensions have a significant relationship with organizational structure and can lead managers' view to the analysis and recognizing elements of success and achievement to goals. With increasing competition in markets, globalization of health services, and presence in international markets and more attention to patients' satisfaction, hospitals need to understand and use of market orientation in order to promote quality and services in the health care system.